Comment: LOVED it!! Loved that you wrote little notes throughout commenting on different things you added.
I love making and receiving these journals. I love seeing all the different ways others do their journals.
Thanks for a wonderful ‘read’ 😊
P.S. going to write you a letter if that’s ok 😊

Comment: thank you for the cool swap! I've already been to blueq to see what it's all about-I dig it. And i agree, that is a weird book-I'm curious about it now. Thank you again for such a fun swap! happy swapping to you!

Comment: Most amazing Magpie Journal ever!! Thank you so much Michelle your creativity and the time you put into this journal is wonderful. I enjoyed every page and getting to know you better. Thank you for the swap-bot flair too. :) Hope we can swap again some time.

Response: I am so glad you liked it! You are most welcome. I hope we can swap again, too!

Comment: I wish I could give you a million hearts. I am so touched by everything you sent me & I just happen to need the particular stones you sent me right now in my life. I also enjoyed your letter and we have much in common. I love your wrapped smudge stick & the fact that you grew all of it yourself! I never knew chestnuts were called Buckeye, haha! I will treasure all of this! You mentioned us being each other's partners, but I sent to Kdgaurd...maybe she sends to you? Anyways, I look forward to the swap where I get to send to you! <3 <3 <3

Response: Oh, I am so glad you liked everything! I don't know how I thought you were sending to me! Lol But hopefully we can swap again! Take care! xoxo

Comment: Hi Michelle, thank you so much for the lovely magpie journal! So much to see and full with little extra's. One heart is definitly not enough. It felt like a birthday gift. I LOVED it! I will certainly look through it many more times. I also want to congratule you!!!!!!! Enjoy it when the time is there!!!! Wish you all the best!

Comment: Amazing journal, Michelle! So many pages, many hours of fun reading and looking at pages!! (Also love all of the extra goodies hidden in the journal!) Thank you so much - for the journal and for hosting!

Comment: How sweet it is to get mail from you! Did you hear me sing that ( original by JAMES TAYLOR) What a great job you did on the envelope alone to start with. And all those special things you found for me. All the effort you've put in to this swap, how can I express what it means to me. Can I explain what it means to get seashells from a beach in Florida, picked up by you and now in my hands. It makes me feel special and humble. I ripped open the package of calli-pens to try them out, WONDERFULL. I love the smell of the peppermint ( and the tins ðŸ’š , need I mention that?) and I adore the Duct Tape, we don't have that in Holland, just plain grey and neon if you are very lucky.
O, yes, let's have another swap soon! Many, many, ðŸ’šðŸ’œðŸ’›ðŸ’™â¤

Comment: This swap was way beyond anything I expected. First, I loved all the pieces on the envelope to create the rainbow. And then everything you included was beyond anything I expected. The little package with the buttons and charms was enough to make my day - then there was more! lol. Thank you for a lovely swap.

Response: AAAHHH! I''m so happy you liked it! I had so much fun making the package (the mail lady thought I was nuts) but I'm so happy you liked the insides, too! Take care :)

Comment: Okay. So. I cannot even begin to describe how amazing this package was. I have had a number of bad experiences with this series, but this MADE MY DAY.
Your items were SO spot on... The descriptions had me laughing for a good while!
The googly thingy: hilarious. The headdress MAKES it.
The cat pen: how funny! It's just.. like... perfect.
The cow fan: JUST. WHAT. because a regular fan would just be too much right? haha!
Scuba Potato Head: I just LOVE THIS. I will proudly display it in my home.
Esmerodo: Quite the product of genetics, isn't she? :)
Thank you so much for making this swap so special! ^^ I hope to see you in future rounds. Take care!

Response: Haha! I'm so glad you liked everything - that was an absolute hoot to put together!

Comment: Hi Michelle! I enjoyed reading about your B*tchfest! I so agree with you about the politicians - it gets to be too dang much! Enjoyed the rest of your share as well! I also do not enjoy the holidays as much since so many of our loved ones are no longer with us - just as happy when the holidays are over! Wishing you a Happy 2016 as well! Hugs and Happy Swapping! ;)

Comment: Hey! We' re the same age!!ðŸ˜ fab to read your answers, we were both affected by the attacks in Paris ...and I also read the girl on the train and enjoyed it! My 17 year old son told me " Can' t feel my face" is a song all the young people know mum!... I recognise it when I played it! Mine was King by Years and Years!
All the best with your blogging ang the wedding!!
How exiting!ðŸ˜„ðŸ’žðŸ’žðŸ’ž

Comment: Thank you, dear! such a fat envelopes, can't wait to open them at Christmas! :) Happy Holidays! 01/01 UPDATE: WOW, thanks so much the great assortment of crafting and collection stuff, very generous of you! Happy New Year! :)

Comment: What fun! I will enjoy all the little "extras" that you put inside of the liner notes of that Bryan Adams album. Too funny! I enjoyed the whole kit and kabootle! Thanks for taking the time to make it fun!Loved the envie too!

Comment: I love your letter Michelle - it was wonderful. What's really nice about it is so many of the things that you have, I am doing as well. It's a good feeling to know that there are others in the same battle. Our stories may not be the same but we share the fight. I loved all the extra goodies and the article. I wish I could give you five stars!

Comment: Thank you so much for sharing your July with me. You seem like a busy lady! Congrats on your blog (I've even check it out!) I started one a few months ago too :) I really appreciate the postcard and the pretty washi tape. Thanks again!

Comment: So sorry for rating you so late Michelle!
I got the swap and it was such a special experience to go through all the stuff and get to know different aspects of your life (:
We also have lots in common â¤ Many thanks!

Comment: I got the most amazing envelope in the mail and started going through the innards. It just got better and better. I thought "oh my...... this envelope is like MADE for me with this wacky stuff".
AND IT WAS! It wasn't until I read the note and realized it was a profile based envie. You nailed it! thanks so much :)

Comment: Geat "beachy" swap. Cute idea, pocket paper banded in ribbon sealed with a shell. Am considering the Tag Mail. And I really liked the envelope, I smiled before I opened it and then smiled again...... Thanks so much!

Comment: What a beautiful pocket letter!! I just love it and everything in it! I remember swapping with you before :). Have fun on vacation - where you are going is one of my favorite places to go. Thank you again for the great swap! I can't wait to use the goodies :)

Comment: Thank you for the lovely pink pocket letter. I look forward to trying the tea. Now that summer is almost here, I brew it then ice it! The card with the girl is my favorite. I enjoyed your letter and the goodies tucked inside. What fun! Hugs, Mona

Comment: these are my most favourite types of swaps! and yours is no exception, thank you for everything you sent. i love the envelope mail art, the little envelopes you separately wrapped, the little gifts you included as well as the paper/stationery bits. great variety, thank you for spoiling me :) p.s the cute tiny little elephant stickers/embellishments are so cute ^_^

Comment: Thank you Michelle!! I love this pocket letter it's so cute!! Love the goodies and the tea! It will look beautiful in my Pocket Letter binder!!
Sending lots of sunshine your way!
xx Gabi
ps- this is the first time I've ever seen Mail tag!!! I am SO excited! If you get any more - send 'em my way! Your goodies are on the way! gabi

Comment: My first pocket letter received!!! Yaaaay... im so happy.. thanks a lot michelle.. you just made my day... i will definitely write you back since you're the first pocket pal i have :) thank you again for helping me and get me started on this.. x

Comment: Hello Michelle - thank you for the many many many stickers! I love the "Victorian" and Halloween stickers especially - and the monkey with a crown is cute too! I hope you are having a wonderful day and thank you for making me smile!

Comment: Thanks for all the pretty, happy spring themed items and very cute envie decorations! Also love the darling pink Hello Kitty card you put the sweet washi tape on: I'll be using that, too! My lilacs are blooming and first tomatoes will be ripe in another week! (It has been spring a long time here and even a few weeks ago some days in the 90's.)

Comment: Michelle, I loooooove the page you sent me! The background is so cool and I love the flower. I am also a newbie to art journaling; I pretty much started with this series. Have you seen the Original Documented Life Project? It's worth a look. Thank you again for the beautiful addition to my journal.

Comment: Thank you for your letter. I really like the stationary, and thanks also for the postcards. = D Paris is also my #1 ranked place I've ever been, it is so amazing! I'm sorry about Sherrie, the relay for Life team is an awesome tribute to her though. Very much enjoyed reading your letter!

Comment: a letter from you makes my day :) this was so fun, loved hearing your answers from the prompts. also the writing paper is gorgeous with the bike on it, i love the colour green! thanks for the cute little pink paper extras, i love them. the envelope was open when i received it but i think everything was still inside!

Comment: Thank you for the mail art & fantastic things inside. It was a lovely surprise with the stuffed envelope, didn't expect it. :) I didn't know it was from you because of the address label! It's probably a good idea to made pre-made address labels for each other as we swap as often anyway hahaha. Thanks for everything!! <3

Comment: Thank you so much for choosing things from my amazon wishlist!! I'm super excited about the mini books, and I love everything you sent. ~ It was all wrapped so nicely with the tissue paper, too. Thank you for hosting, and for being an amazing swap partner! I just ordered some new stationary, and I'll write back as soon as it arrives. Many hearts your way =^.^=

Comment: YAY! a big swap with lots and lots of things to go through, one of my favourite things to do. :) all if not most is all unique things i haven't seen before as well, like the beer mat ephemera and the vintage style things, love the illustration/art pieces and the paper stock. thank you.

Comment: Goodness gurl! The heck with the bits look at that postage and the cool decorated envie you sent it in. ...BTW which will make a groovy envie in my stash. BITS & BITS & BITS & more BITS. I want the rest of that Reese ribbon. Cracker Barrel used to be my favie restaurant. Also must say LOVE that blue set of images in lower left hand side of envie. THANK YOU luvie. Ohhhhh I couldnt remember who mentioned Burlesque to me and now I remember ...it was you. I'll do a Burlesque postcard swap. :))))) xox

Response: Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! This one was a bit nerve-wracking for me - sometimes what one thinks is funky and interesting might not be the same to someone else! ;) You're quite welcome!

Comment: Your wonderful package came a couple of days ago. I loved all the little things in the baggie. It never occurred to me to send buttons or things like you sent. I especially loved the mail art. The stunning dresses on top of the foreign dictionary pages really impressed me, as did the red cut outs on front with the word FIRE!!! Very nice! Thanks for the goodies packed inside. I'm staying home today to sort and file everything!

Response: Oh, I'm so glad you liked what I sent! I love when I can send a variety of goodies. And I love to collage envelopes (or just about anything I get my hands on!) so I'm glad you liked it! Take care :)

Comment: Hello! Thank you so much for your great mail! Everything is so nice The envelope, the stamps, the stickers. The notecard, it's really cool, I love the style of it! :) And your resolution sounds like a really good one, one I would do too! :)

Comment: i love your red envelope, the little sleigh on the front is cute. well done for doing all the themes! i struggle with that. i love the image of the girl - i thought it was a card; it's SO pretty. i think i might stick it up somewhere!

Comment: Thanks for some fun website recommendations- I already subscribe to the positivity one on facebook, but I really enjoyed the PIWTPITT blog (hilarious!) and the tiny buddha blog (very inspiring!)! Also, I agree with your celebrity crush- Channing Tatum? Yum!!! Happy 2015!

Comment: Michelle I never received anything from you for this swap. I will definitely rerate when I receive something. Shirley I got you resend Christmas card today and want to thank you for all the goodies you sent. You surely deserve and 5 and a heart. Where the other card went, I hope that they are enjoying it. Happy holidays, Shirley

Response: I have a feeling there's a whole mess of them at the post office somewhere! Happy New Year!

Comment: Holy crap your letter made my day, not to mention those beautiful, fantastic tarot cards (so thrilled to have them in my collection!). Thank you SO much! <3 I think I'll have to finally start watching Sons of Anarchy. And I hope you have a nice time at the game!
Thanks again, and I hope you have a delightful Christmas!

Comment: "And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's Aka Glenda / Rarie61 small heart grew three sizes that day." when she received her happy Christmas card! Love the card can you tell? I hope you have an awesome Christmas!

Response: Well, this may be the most perfect rating ever! Hope your holidays are amazing! :)

Comment: thank you for the card not only for me but also for ollie, he will appreciate that a lot! lol he always gets jealous of my swaps. :P can we just take a moment to say LOL and wow at the card... a dr seuss christmas card?? WHAT???????? :OOOOO :DDDDD

Comment: i got this before i went to london but didn't want to rush and open it with carelessness so i kept it for when i had time to really appreciate it. you had such a good idea of making them come together like a story, i didn't know what to do with mine. LOVE how you included extras! i had so many photographs to go through & look at which was lovely because NO ONE these days has real photographs anymore. i really enjoyed seeing pictures of you and your beautiful family, made me smile so much =) and let's not forget suki! aww! oh & i LOVE orangina! in london it is in most cafes. i drank so much of it lol. thank you!

Response: I'm glad you enjoyed this. It was hard for me in some ways, as it brought back so many memories, but good, too. I just love photos - they're the best way for me to feel close to those that I miss! :)

Comment: Sorry for the late rating. I got your letter a while ago. And I was LOVING IT! Your 'advices' to make it through the winter are just as good as Ophra's ;-) Thanks for letting me peek in your life :-)

Comment: Received will comment more once opened, lovely stocking great colour.12/25 opened thank you so much all the crafty stuff will come in really handy, the socks are great and I love the smell of the candles.

Comment: I'm so happy to receive this gift from you. I'll treasure it forever along with your 'about me' book! We need to do that swap again! The book is so fun to go through :) don't worry about the binding! It's cute! <3 I was able to learn so much about you. We definitely need to do something like this again.

Response: Oh I'm so glad you liked it! It was a challenge for me, but I think it's helpful to open up a bit and share bits of myself even if they aren't always the pretty bits! Lol I'd definitely love to do this again! :)

Comment: Thank you so much for another lovely christmas-parcel! I love those fun swaps - extravaganza is one of my favourites already :) Have a super weekend <3 EDIT: I love everything you sent!! Have a fabulous 2015 :)

Response: I completely agree - this is my favorite swap so far! Take care :)

Comment: Thank you, Michelle, for the great package. I was just checking out some of my "sent" swaps and saw that this one didn't look like it had been rated. Sorry for the delay, your package was great. Rebecca/pobuffy

Comment: you included so much to say it was such a small swap! i LOVE the variety. i love how some of it is vintage theme and some of it is real vintage. i mostly love the bottle water vintage ad, the instalove journal card,and the funeral home bookmark. thank you.

Comment: Thanks Michelle for the envie full of nature related stuff. It came during the week of my niece's funeral and helped to lighten the day. Now that all the company is gone I can file everything away so I can find just what I need for the right craft!

Response: Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your niece but glad I was able to lighten the day just a little. Take care :)

Comment: Wow, I'm impressed that you tried tackling so many goals! Sorry your month didn't go as planned, but it sounds like you learned from your experience, so it wasn't a waste! I think that you should just take the leap with your blog. It doesn't have to be perfect when you first start, and since your readership will be small or nonexistent to start with, you have plenty of room to experiment! Best of luck with all your future goals!

Response: Thank you. Yes, I definitely did learn a lot and I am working on my blog as we speak - thanks so much for the encouragement! I'm trying hard to overcome that "fear of a blank page" and just jump right on in!

Comment: Thank you so much for all the wonderful Halloweeny whimsy! I love everything you've included, so much neat stuff!! This was such a wonderful idea, and I had so much fun putting together this swap!! Thank you so very much!!! ^_^

Comment: Oooh mz. chelle, sneaky! Lol! You didn't dare decorate on the outside... I know how you felt but luckily mine made it to the United Kingdom. I found this to be quite the challenge also. Thank you so much for the case & all those extra goodies! Happy fall!

Response: Haha - yes I was positive it would've wound up shredded on its way to you but I'm glad it got there in one piece! Take care :)

Comment: Love both the envelope and notecards - Thanks so much. I really enjoy the envelope swaps.
So surprised that your first name is Annette and that you go by your middle name :-) My middle name is Lynn and just like Annette it is not totally unique but fairly uncommon. My Mom thinks Donna is less common than Annette - I have 4 friends&several coworkers with a first name of Donna - LOL. The other thing about 'Annette' is that others think it was because of Annette Funicello...but Mom said nope - she just liked it. Have fun swapping. Take care, Annette

Comment: Thank you so much for all the awesome Halloween goodies! The card you sent is adorable, and I can't wait to use all the lovely things you sent. Thanks for the Witches Brew tea lights too! That is one giant bar of chocolate! lol My husband and I are going to share it. :3 I love it all, what a great swap! Thanks for hosting it! :)

Comment: Thank you for a fabulous envelope. I like the front, but the back is my favorite with the stamps. Thank you also for the enclosures and the nice note. I've never seen that movie, I might have to make it to the theater for it. :-) thanks again for an awesome swap. :-)

Comment: Received, will comment more once opened.12/25 opened I love love love everything and the project life cards will come in really useful as I've just started doing it, thank you so much ðŸ˜€ðŸ’œðŸ’œðŸ’œðŸ’œ

Comment: OH, this swap is a very difficult one.. Thank you so much for a great christmas-decorated envelope and a blue-wrapped gift! Oh my, I have to wait THREE months to open it. That is difficult indeed :) EDIT: Thank you very much for a lovely package of ephemera! I love the fabulous stamps <3

Comment: Thank you so much for a fun and happy envelope and all the goodies! I love the w-words and will not be able to cut them :) I wish you a wonderful evening with 'Gone with the Wind' - until next time :)

Comment: Thanks for such a great selection of lists and the extra goodies! My favorite list was the "top ten list of lists!" Just the idea cracked me up and then I read it and was rolling on the floor.

Response: Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! That one list alone made this swap worth it for me! Lol I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did! Take care :)

Comment: Thank you for your swap! I love seeing what others love, especially when it's so different from what I read. I haven't read any that you mentioned, except Twilight and 50 (unfortunately on both). :)

Response: Haha - I'm with you on that...can't get those moments of our lives back, can we? LOL Thanks for rating! :)

Comment: you've inspired me to make another one to send you and i've already sent mine. lol! i forgot to put so much in mine and this reminded me! i LOVE how you did lots of pages of collage showing things you like. it was just really nice to see things through your eyes.
thank you for the sincere letter in the start. my boyfriend would love to move to france later on in life. i love france. i love europe in general, but the french countryside is beautiful. 4 years ago we went to the countryside, near bourdeux and stayed in a tiny, tiny village and stayed in a little bed and breakfast there. it was our first holiday together, i was only 18... it was really nice. i love the european life, it is so different to here in the UK even though we are so close to europe. who knows, maybe we will both be neighbors in france later on in life ;) i hope things work out for you. it is one of the most frustrating things being stuck in "life" and feeling like you are on the road to no where. i *hate* the feeling of uncertainty in life and i really hope you find answers soon and feel calm. me & ollie were talking about going to paris soon, specifically for the louvre. we went a few years ago but didn't spend a long time there. will definitely let you know if we end up booking a trip there!! i would love to know more about your trip in detail... we have so much to catch up on though. maybe i will set up a "your last trip" swap and hope we get each other as partners ;)
ok i will stop here as i'm going to take up all of your profile with this long message aka novel...
btw, love the saint augustine quote.
& you and your family are beautiful.
xx

Response: Oh I would just adore to be your neighbor in some village in France! I totally agree about the European lifestyle - I think perhaps I lived there in another life! Lol And thank you - I know things will work out eventually, like you said, I just hate being stuck. I'll make sure and fill you in on the details of our trip. I'm working on a big letter right now! :) And thank you - I'm so insanely proud of my family. :)

Comment: Thank you so much for your package of goodies!!! I may have squealed a little bit when I saw the big bag of peanut butter M&Ms! We don't get big bags like that over here only the little ones from the American section in tescos. Funnily enough last night when I was eating a small bag of them I thought "It would be great if they had bigger bags of these!" lol! So yeah, very happy about that! I love the stationery you included also and the vanilla waxed tarts smell so lush! Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and finding things that I would like :)

Response: Oh I'm so glad you like the goodies! I almost sent you the wrong thing - Peanut M&Ms instead of peanut butter - luckily my hubby takes his peanut butter candies very seriously so he caught my mistake! Lol I love the vanilla (except that it always makes me hungry! Lol) Take care :)

Comment: Thank you for the stamps and tape samples! Though the tapes are deco tapes and not washi, they're great designs and I'm happy to receive them :) ----------------------- [Edited on 19 August] ~ Thank you for mailing washi tapes to me! I accepted your previous deco tape samples plus rated with a heart, and so I didn't expect anything more for this swap... It's really nice of you to send again with the right tapes! Thank you!

Response: Ack - I'm sorry! I honestly didn't realize there was a difference. :( Thank you for being so understanding about my mix-up!

Comment: Thanks for including the Stephen King quote about banned books. I think I had read it somewhere a while ago and forgotten who/where it was, because it sounded familiar when I read it. I'm glad I now know who said it :)

Comment: AWESOME!! What a fun package! You picked some GREAT stuff for me! Now I wanna play in my clay... and my plastic canvas... and do something COOL with the dragon tattoos and fairy stickers... then go take a nice soak in my Jacuzzi tub! LOL!! (Fun packaging, too! - it was like my un-birthday or sumthin!) THANKS for an amazing swap!

Comment: I can't thank you enough. The birthday card is beautiful, and the handmade book is a lovely birthday gift. It was so nice to come home to this! :) I haven't seen one made like this before, like a notebook? It's very pretty and neat :) btw, i got your Paris parcel before I left for Greece. Thanks so much! I'm so glad you had a great time, I was thinking about you whilst you were on your trip :) you'll be hearing from me soon
Xxx

Response: You are quite welcome, my dear. I'm so glad you liked it. Can't wait to hear how Greece was ! Take care and hope to talk soon :) Hugs Xoxox

Comment: I'm glad that you give YA a chance, 'cause most people that aren't 17 to 25, turn their nose up at it. It's probably my favorite genre.

Response: I started giving YA a try years ago when I actually was one (haha) and then when I started homeschooling my kids, I read a lot of what they were reading, so it's just kind of gotten to be a habit. But you're so right - people do tend to pass it over, but wow - their loss, right? :) Thanks for the comment and rating!

Comment: Your journal is awesome! It's so interesting how seemingly trivial bits of labels and such look so different out of context! I LOVE the cat stickers throughout, and will be gently pealing them to send along to my mom who will appreciate them as well! Everything is done so purposely and I LOVE it all. You outdid yourself, for sure, and I'm the lucky one to receive it. Many, many hearts!!

Response: Oh I'm so glad you liked it! The Magpie Journal is one of my all-time favorite swaps to do! :)

Comment: Super fun! Thank you : ) I love the goodies you enclosed-I am a huge fan of rub-ons! Hopefully winter is soon coming to an end-yesterday actually school was called off because of ice. Silly. Until next time...

Comment: What a beautiful job you did on these FBs...they are just great!
And thank you SO much for the labels...I always intend to make them but never get around to it so YAY, you saved me a job :)
Oh...and the mini composition notebook...you are wonderfully generous!! Thank you very much.

Comment: Thank you for lovely booklet and I sure will pass these on. I love to make and now you have made my day by making me very nice booklets. Your lovely package is just greeeeeeat. Hope we do this again.

Response: Aww - I'm so glad you liked them! I'm new to it so I was a bit nervous!

Comment: Lovely, Lovely package arrived today from you. I will be sending you some FBs etc. These are from Europe etc.
We all started newbee one day. No problem. sneak in a big hug to your young lad for the lovely bracelet. Just so nice. You are so kind

Response: My son was very pleased that you liked the bracelet (lucky for me he still gives his mama hugs every day!) I'm glad you liked the package - take care of yourself! Peace, Michelle

Comment: what a package! i love everything you sent and this is a great swap, you sent me lots of things i love. i love the magazine cut-outs & the different pieces of paper. it's amazing; feels like a kit in its own right! thank you darling <3

Response: Aw, I'm so glad you liked it! I just love when I see that I've gotten you as a partner - gives me an excuse to go hunting for some tiny treasures for you! Take care, my dear :)

Comment: Hi michelle! thank you so much. loved them :) a few of them are fakes, it's ok because i collect those too! but be careful in case someone is trying to trick you that they're real or something. have a great day. i loved the idea of having the business cards. i think ill copy lol xxx

Comment: Wow, so fast! wasn't expecting this one yet.. nice surprise in my mailbox! Thanks so much for the african postcard you included, it's beautiful, I put it up on the wall above my desk so I can look at it while working. I loved reading your stories, you seem like a lovely person and you have a nice way of writing, if you write a book or small story I would totally want to read it :) Take care! x Carmen

Response: Aww what a kind thing to say! Well, I look forward to having you as a reader :) Take care :)

Comment: thank you SOO much; love love LOVED this letter. loved the prompts, loved how conversational you were, how much we get on and we have lots in common! it's just like i was sitting down, chatting to a friend! i also want to thank you so much for taking part in my swaps... i know i probably say this every time but you are so dedicated and loyal, it's people like you who make me keep going and make it worth while for me to host swaps, you always send on time & i never have to chase you up. i see you've already sent to all your partners for round 2. wow, thanks so much! i'm sure you will be receiving mail from me very soon as we always get partnered together :) yesterday i got this letter, and your postcard! it was happy mail day for me :D speak to you soon!!! lots of love, naomi <3

Response: I'm so glad you liked the letter! Your swaps make it so easy to open up and share. I look forward to swapping with you again (and I know I will!) Peace and love, Michelle

Comment: Thanks for the great playlist! (Ever notice how "Home" and "Little Talks" are the same song?) And the Nico Vega track was cool... I first heard Nancy Sinatra cover this (on the Kill Bill soundtrack)

Comment: Haha! This letter was awesome! I will write back as soon as I have time to start a night of drinking - without a party full of people, that is. Yesterday was my birthday and my party is Saturday. Plus, I've got socks to finish knitting and a quilt to finish for Christmas. I dare not work on those while drinking.

Comment: Oh my gosh, Michelle, what an epic piece of work! I am blown away by your magpie journal! I am turning to random pages, and I'm completely delighted by everything. You must have such a tremendous collection of ephemera! Oh... and one thing I must comment on is the Rocky Horror thing you put in... my husband and I first met at the RHPS, so that was a really touching thing for me to discover. Thank you so much, and have a great holiday season!

Response: Aww I'm so glad you liked it! RHPS has special meaning for me, too - my 14-yo son fell in love with it as a baby (believe it or not!) and used to go around the house singing the songs! LOL Take care and happy holidays! :)

Comment: Thank you for the awesome master board. You did perfect and I look forward to using it on future projects. I am excited to look at the clip art, what a very special extra! Wishing you a fabulous holiday season. Hugs, Mona

Response: Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! I was so nervous about this swap! Thanks so much and happy holidays to you! :)

Comment: Great board. It was neat seeing how we are the same (books! vamps! organizing!) and how we are different (you will NEVER get me on a cruise ship!). It seems like you had fun making it. Thanks for sharing it with me!

Response: Oh awesome! But I'm telling you - cruising is the BEST! :) And if I ever need anyone to help me organize my vampire books, I know who to contact! LOL

Comment: Hi Michelle, this was such a fun swap. I received such a great atc and special tuck in's from you and thank you very much. I am thrilled to add your atc to my collection and cant wait to use the extras in my future projects. I hope you had fun with this swap also.

Response: Aww, I'm so glad you liked the ATC and the extras! I loved this swap :) Take care and happy holidays! :)

Comment: So that was way more than 3 - thank you. I think I need to pretend I have a booboo just to use the bandaids. I know I can find something to make with the paper, and the notecard is very pretty...

Comment: Michelle, thanks for the letter, I really enjoyed reading your answers. That's so cool that you're the case manager of a paranormal investigation team! Do you put up videos, recordings, photos and reports of experiences on a site somewhere (like a Youtube channel)? Your Halloween decorations sound very elegant, with candelabras and lace. I liked reading the legends and scariest memory too, and thanks for the links and stickers!

Response: Hi there! I don't think we have video posted, but we do have some of our EVPs on our website: www.buckeyestateparanormal.com.
The website is still under construction, but the EVPs are there under "evidence". Thanks so much for the feedback! :)

Comment: Thank you very much for your Mail and the two beautiful Postcards!
Ireland and New Zealand are in my Top 5 too :)
I was already in Paris and London and both are amazing Cities. I hope you can go to Paris in may and you enjoy it.
Nice greetings from germany!

Comment: You just came back from the Cayman Islands. Color me jealous!!! I loved the Iquana sign. I bet you got some really neat postcards too. Thanx for sharing your board. Have a great weekend. ellie

Comment: Michelle thank you for sharing your photos with me. I loved learning more about you. What a gorgeous family you have. I love the photo of your dad, what a happy memory to have. I have only a few photos of my dad, mostly of him with a cigarette in his mouth in stubbies and thongs!!!

Comment: Michelle, thank you so much for your email and the glimpse into your life. I wish you all the best and be sure, the sun will come out again. Just give yourself the time you need. Thinking of you.

Comment: I got your wonderful journal today. This one was not a cheap one to send. :p haha but fun all the same. I only flipped through it and saw all the wonderful recipes. Can't wait to try. And I am anxiously waiting for #23. :) thank you for this great journal!

Comment: WOW!!! What a beautiful love story!!! I was so sad when I read that you and Gef had divorced!!! :( But you got back together and that's what really matters! Sometimes time apart from one another makes you realize just how much you love that person. May the love you share go on forever, Michelle! :)

Response: Thanks so much for your kind words - that's so sweet! Yes, the divorce was really hard, but I think you're right - absence sometimes does make the heart fonder, and it definitely made us appreciate one another more. Take care! :)

Comment: Wow! Super shiny stickers! I stuck the adorable chick to my lamp. Never occurred to me before to do that. He's just so cute I couldn't resist putting somewhere I can see him. Thanks for the letter. Glad you liked my profile. I feel like a big whiner lately, but I don't like it when swappers can't play nice!

Comment: LOVE the journal ... the cover is so cute, and you have great "media" taste! I look forward to checking out some of what you wrote about. I also really love the NY postcards and other goodies. THANK YOU! :)

Response: Oh, I'm so relieved! I felt like I repeated so much in that journal! lol (I'm a creature of habit!) I'm glad you liked the postcards. Hope I gave you some good media ideas to check out! Peace :)

Comment: Thanks for the great journal..am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom..I shed tears also, I lost my mom last May...we will have to do a journal swap real soon!

Response: Thank you. I think it was a wonderful coincidence that we happened to be doing this swap right now. I know it helped me a lot to have someplace to share how I was feeling. It's good to be able to talk to someone that understands :)

Comment: Thank you, Michelle! :)
This was a wonderful first swap experience for me. I adore the packet of buttons you sent, and I'm excited to read the book.
The polaroid notecard is inspiring me to do something with my old stash of polaroids!

Comment: Thank you so much for the fun package!!! I loved the bag of stickers and the books were so thoughtful! I am sure my future students will love them :) I also love love love the fairy notepad. so cute! I loved reading the card you sent me too. You are so thoughtful :)

Comment: I received your journal today. I loved it. I loved the truthfulness to it and the straight forward way you wrote it. I'd love to drop you a note. Your words really made me feel like I was seeing a part of your life. Thank you!

Response: I'm so glad you liked it! Feel free to send a note - I'd love to hear from you :)

Comment: Hello Michelle,
Thank you for the 4 puzzles you sent as part of the Ultimate Year of Happy Mail #5. I received it today. The puzzles are all ones I love to do and so I look forward to completing them. I'm really enjoying these "happy mails." Hope I meet you more in 2011 for other swaps and on other "happy mail" swaps.
Barbara
sleepingrover2010

Comment: Oh Michelle, this quote made me feel happy and peaceful. Isn't this a great swap? I kind of wish it was a mega swap. After all, can there be too many kind words? Liked the Bart Simpson stamp-- I'm going to have to get some fun postage. I also thought the "business card" is a cool idea. I will put these words up at work so I can refer to them often. Thank you and Happy New Year!! Sue

Response: I'm so glad you liked the quote, and I totally agree - never too much kindess. I loved doing this swap - such a simple thing, but I love the thought that it might make a rough day brighter! Happy New Year! :)

Comment: This journal was AMAZING!!! I loved everything about it! My sister and I went through it together and we had so much fun! It was so interesting. Moon Pies are my absolute FAVE!! I cannot say enough good things about this, it really shows that you took time with it, the CD was awesome! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! <3

Response: Thank you for the kind words, dear! You are so welcome - I'm thrilled you enjoyed it! And if you're ever in Chattanooga, make sure you stop at the Moon Pie store - you'll love it! Peace and Happy Holidays! <3

Comment: I love the ATC, and was checking out the business card! I'm going to the website to get my own. Than you for everything! I love that you gave me all of these neat extras. I'm going to try out these "For you" papers as well. Thanks!!

Response: I've sent a response to your e-mail address. I have a screen capture that shows the message was sent to your Swap-bot e-mail (as directed by the swap creator) and was read by you on March 23. In the future, please check with people before rating them a "1", especially on e-mail swaps.

Comment: Firstly, thanks for asking me for an alternate email because I think I would have missed out if I didn't get your entertaining list. Now I have some books to add to my bookshelves. Have a great weekend!!!

Response: You are quite welcome! I know how sneaky those e-mail addys can be - bouncing stuff back to people and not even letting us know! =) Enjoy your weekend! Peace.

Comment: Who thats quite a phobia list, I only have phonophobia (loud noises). Your concerts would do me in. I also hate for my food to touch, but I also eat each food around my plate seperatly. Thanks for sharing your random 25.

Comment: I liked your nickname for me, and your note was such an accurate observation about this swap. It was heartwarming that you were stressed. Thank you for the goodies. No one has ever sent me something in a swap with my name on it. And those cards are so darn useful! It was a little envelope with a lot of heart. So here is one for you too. Thanks!

Response: Ohh, I'm so glad you liked the nickname! It was giving me serious anxiety, but it was well worth it. =) You are very welcome for the goodies - I'm so glad you could use them. It was great to swap with you - hope to do so again!

Comment: Michelle, omgosh thank you so much for a sweet and darling swap!! The drawers are adorable, and all the little bits and goodies are so cute - thank you also for all the extra goodies!!! My daughter is loveing them all!!! :o)

Comment: It's amazing how much alike we are! I couldn't get over it at all. And the envelope completely blew me away, You're so clever!!! I loved the little surprises inside, thank you. I hope you and your family has an amazing Holiday Season, Take Care!

Response: I agree - we ARE a lot alike! And thanks - I'm so glad you liked the envy & goodies. It's great to meet a kindred spirit. :) Peace.

Comment: I LOVE the little cards and my favorite image I"m so excited about using them. THe journal was very interesting and we do similar things to relieve stress. I was amazed at how long your lists were.
thanks for swapping

Comment: Thanks so much for the great JournalPals swap. I loved getting to know you through your entry. I'm in the process of moving, but once I'm all unpacked I'll find my "library treasures" and send one your way. Take care!

Comment: Thanks for the look at the stewardess - and for the letter, I am going to write very promptly because I have a view on our med. dilemma - not to change your mind but to share experiences. Also I didn't realize you are "chelle"

Comment: Thanks so much, Michelle, for my amazing collage! It literally brought tears to my eyes. You incorporated all my interests and the important things in my life just perfectly. I wish I could give you 100 Hearts! Thank-you again!!! Hugs, Lisa F.

Comment: Awwww yeah, thanks for my letter Chelle :) It was dead good and i am wowed at your ability to multitask. I wish i could, i need my Wife, Tracey, to step in and be my PA at times lol Aww a really great letter and you deserve a big heart!

Comment: Tangie is SO cute, and DEFINITELY a ham! Don't worry about the text being cut off; computers are way more stupid than people make them out to be ;) But yeah, my favorite is 'wtf did u just say to me??' cause you can TOTALLY believe that's what she's saying <3

Response: Thanks so much! I loved doing this swap - it's one of my favorites ever. That particular photo is one of my faves, too. Tangie is quite the Lolcat! :)

Comment: WOW!!! Thank you so so so much!! I loved the zine format... it was so entertaining to read! :D It made me really happy, haha... even though you didn't actually do the swap requirements (write a letter about your experiences with THIS change your life thing)... it was still fun to read. :D Thank you so so much, you obviously put so much time into it!

Response: ACK - I didn't realize until I got my first letter from a swap partner that I'd done the swap wrong! I still had fun at it, though :)

Comment: hey, i've been to 18 places on your list! i live 1.5 hrs. from va beach and norfolk virginia and go there about once a month. nice list! glad you didn't send... "parents house, neighbors house, my office..." etc...

Comment: thanks for the stickers along with the letter! i live near atlanta so i hope when you do visit, you love it! i enjoyed statistics so hearing that someone didn't is a shocker. also, good luck with your weight loss!

Comment: Great list! I've started back, too, to college (hmmm, after 15 years. *sigh*) Good luck with your end and the stats! Unfortunately, the re-enrolling with college was the HIGHLIGHT of my summer!

Comment: Michelle, Thank you for your wonderful letter! It arrived today. The umbrella story was just so kind. It made me cry. I'm a softie for kindness. It was wonderful to hear of your kindness to Connor's family, too. My RAOK's are making handmade bags that have been sent to a VA/Rehab center in Ohio. I made 15 bags. I'm also crocheting squares to send to Warm up America that will be made into blankets for people that need them. So far, I have almost 100 squares done. At 120 squares, I'll have enough for 4 whole blankets! Please feel free to keep in touch. I would enjoy hearing from you again.

Comment: Got your letter today, and it was very sweet. You seem like such a good person and the world needs more like you. The heart, in case you're wondering, is because I really really needed something good to hear/read today, and so it came at the perfect time. Thank you.

Comment: I am sorry. I got signed up by someone else and didn't know it. I later joined myself and had been using another account. Apparantly, they signed me up for this swap but I hadn't talked with them. I did get your package in the mail but was unsure what it was for! I will send yours out this week.

Comment: Absolutely wonderful mix! You did a wonderful job making it up so prettily, and I love the choices. I'm really glad you liked the swap, and it seems like you have the same attitude on life that I do. It makes life so much better, doesn't it?

Response: Thank you :) It was a wonderful swap, and yeah, I think it's all about your attitude in life. :) Peace & hugs to you.